Aaptiv raises $22 million.
Digital health and wellness app Aaptiv has raised $22 million in its Series C funding. Strategic investors include Amazon Alexa Fund, Disney, Warner Music Group, and NWS Holdings. Aaptiv has raised $52 million to date.
Unruly fans mourn XXXTentacion in Los Angeles.
Police issued dispersal orders on Tuesday night after hundreds of rowdy XXXTentacion fans gathered in Los Angeles to mourn the rapper. In the Fairfax district, fans became “increasingly aggressive,” climbing onto rooftops and a news van, swarming vehicles, and throwing objects at police.
YouTube Music is more expensive on Apple devices.
Users on iOS devices will have to pay $3 more to sign-up for YouTube Music. As with Spotify and other streaming platforms, Apple takes a 30% cut on in-app subscriptions.
Michael Jackson Broadway musical confirmed.
The Michael Jackson Estate and Columbia Live Stage will develop a new stage musical inspired by the life of Michael Jackson. Expected to arrive on Broadway in 2020, organizers have yet to announce where they’ll debut the show.
Hard Rock Atlantic City announces 365 Live.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City has unveiled plans to host a live performance event every day next year. Dubbed 365 Live, performers include Max Weinberg, Nick Fradiani, Michael Grimm, Nick Howard, Johnny O, Matt Giraud, Frankie Moreno, and Nicole Henry.
XXXTentacion’s music sales skyrocket.
According to Nielsen Music, XXXTentacion’s music sales have increased 1,603% in the US following the rapper’s death. Combined album and digital sales grew to 33,000 sold. ‘Sad!’ was his biggest-selling song on June 8th, with 6,000 sold. Forecasters expect his last album, ?, to become a chart-topper once again.
The rapper’s music has also soared 542,566% on Amazon. Hours after XXXTentacion’s murder, ? sales rose 41,306%. ‘Sad!’ has also become the No. 1 song on iTunes.
Meltdown festival holds a mental health panel.
The Meltdown music festival hosted a mental health panel instead of a scheduled Frightened Rabbit set. Clinical psychologist Jay Watts moderated the talk with Throwing Muses’ Kristin Hersh, Placebo’s Stefan Olsdal, Dizraeli, and Help Musicians UK’s Christine Brown. The panel comes after Frightened Rabbit frontman Scott Hutchison committed suicide last month.
UMPG signs Burna Boy.
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has signed Nigerian artist Burna Boy. UMPG has recently signed Tekno to Universal Music Group Africa and struck a licensing deal with Mr. Eazi.
Burton Cummings receives SOCAN Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) has presented veteran Canadian rocker Burton Cummings with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Sarah McLachlan also received a Global Inspiration Award.
Riptide announces alliance with Jonathan Palmer.
Riptide Music Group has announced a new alliance with music industry veteran Jonathan Palmer. He’ll work with Riptide’s roster in Creative Licensing. Based in Riptide’s offices in Culver City, Palmer will continue to lead A Suit With Leaves, a music licensing and consulting company he founded earlier this year.
Rogers and Cowan’s Cara Hutchison receives a promotion.
Entertainment agency Rogers and Cowan has promoted Cara Hutchinson to Vice President. She has worked with Elton John, the Rolling Stones, and Lionel Richie, among others.
Capitol Studios’ Ron McMaster confirms retirement.
Renowned vinyl mastering engineer Ron McMaster will retire. For the past 38 years, he has worked at Capitol Studios, mastering CDs and LPs. McMaster has cut vinyl for the Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, Radiohead, and the vintage Blue Note catalog. Capitol Studios will hold a retirement party for the departing engineer on July 12th.
Alex Cripe named VP of Strategy at Superfly.
Concert producer Superfly has named Alex Cripe as Executive Vice President of Strategy. He’ll focus on branding strategies and opportunities for Superfly. Cripe will report directly to co-founder Rich Goodstone.
AM/FM radio remains steady while Pandora bleeds listeners.
According to Edison Research, traditional broadcast radio has once again taken the top spot as America’s leading audio provider. In the firm’s Share of Ear Q1 2018 report, the medium accounted for 47% of all audio time spent among people aged 18 and up — at least according to Edison’s methodology. A person’s ‘owned music’ listening had a 12% share. YouTube accounted for 9%. SiriusXM and TV music channels had a 5% share.
Despite recent assurances from CEO Roger Lynch, fewer Americans are listening to Pandora. Edison Research found that in just two years, the platform’s ‘share of ear’ has dropped 17%. During the same period, Spotify’s share has increased 36%. Pandora’s daily reach has also declined 15% among people aged 13 and up. Spotify’s daily share saw a 43% increase.
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